CINCINNATI -- Right-hander was on a roll until the sixth inning on Friday night, when the Cubs lost a one-run lead and the game, 6-4, to the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Cubs (85-69) are a half-game behind the Phillies for the top National League Wild Card spot (who were still finishing their matchup against the Mets) and a half-game ahead of the Padres (playing later vs. Miami), who hold the final NL Wild Card berth. Chicago holds the tiebreaker over both.

Holmes allowed three runs in the first three innings, but he settled down by retiring seven consecutive batters through the fifth frame, with the Cubs holding a one-run lead. 

The sixth inning proved to be Holmes’ undoing. He had a tough time throwing strikes, allowing  walks to three of the first four hitters to load the bases with one out. Holmes was taken out of the game in favor of right-hander Javier Assad, who allowed a game-tying RBI single to Eugenio Suárez. Jose Trevino then singled to right field to drive in two more runs to take the lead.

The Cubs had a chance to at least tie the score in the eighth inning against Reds right-hander Tejay Antone. Chicago had runners on first and second with two outs and Pete Crow-Armstrong at the plate. He is the leading candidate to win the National League MVP Award, as he has a chance to become the seventh player and first center fielder in MLB history to reach the 40/40 mark. But Armstrong struck out to end the frame. 

In the ninth, Reds closer Emilio Pagán picked up his 24th save of the season, retiring three of the four hitters he faced.